**Georgian Prime Minister Attends European Political Community Summit**
On May 16, Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze attended the European Political Community (EPC) summit in Tirana, Albania. This was his first major international appearance since the contested elections and ongoing repression that have sparked widespread criticism from Western leaders.
**Kobakhidze Meets with Three Leaders**
Despite attempts by the Georgian Dream-controlled media to portray Kobakhidze as widely accepted by Western leaders, he met with only three leaders: Serbia’s Aleksandar Vučić, Slovakia’s Robert Fico, and Hungary’s Viktor Orbán. These meetings were all in informal settings.
**GD Media Spin Attempted**
The pro-government media tried to spin the event as a breakthrough in international isolation for the Georgian Dream government. They circulated a video of Kobakhidze briefly interacting with French President Emmanuel Macron, who nudged him in the back at the roundtable and engaged him in small talk that lasted for about 15 seconds.
**Kobakhidze’s Claims**
In an interview with Georgian media, Kobakhidze claimed to have spoken with up to 30 leaders during the summit. However, it appears that most of these conversations were brief and did not involve any substantive discussions. He also stated that he had discussed topics related to Georgia’s development, European perspective, and role in the region with Macron and other leaders.
**Limited Acceptance**
Despite Kobakhidze’s claims, his meetings with Western leaders were limited, and it is clear that they do not represent a significant breakthrough in international isolation. The EPC summit was attended by representatives from over 50 countries, and Kobakhidze’s interactions were mostly brief and informal.
**Western Leaders’ Positions**
It is worth noting that Western leaders have continued to criticize the Georgian Dream government for its handling of contested elections and ongoing repression. Despite Kobakhidze’s attempts to portray his meetings as a success, it appears that he has not secured significant support from Western leaders.
Overall, Kobakhidze’s attendance at the EPC summit was likely intended to demonstrate that Georgia is still engaged with international partners despite growing isolation. However, the limited acceptance he received and the controlled media spin attempted by the Georgian Dream government suggest that his efforts have not been entirely successful.
